‘It’s exercise for the brain’: BSU Chess Club teaches patience, presence, and purpose

Buffalo State junior Jamie Ervolina admits that after learning how to play chess from a high school librarian, she thought she would “never touch the game again.” But a connection with Daniel Blum, lecturer for Academic Affairs and the History and Social Studies Education Department, reignited her interest—and inspired her to create the Buffalo State Chess Club, now on the cusp of official club approval by the United Students Government (USG).

Ervolina, a history major, was introduced to Blum by a friend enrolled in one of his courses.

“My friend said, ‘This man is hilarious. You should come sit down in this class with me,’” said Ervolina, who is also a member of the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program. “I ended up joining the class, and loved hearing Professor Blum talk about history so much that I started showing up for office hours.”

When chess came up during office hour conversation, Blum, Ervolina, and a few other students started playing together.

“Chess grew from something I did not like into a full on hobby,” Ervolina said. “I could play it all day.”

Blum and his students discovered that while there had been some past efforts to form a chess club on campus, nothing had sustained. Ervolina decided to pick up the mantle. 

“My first task was to find an e-board—a group of five students that want to make it an official club—which was difficult,” Ervolina said. “It took me almost a year to find them, but when I did find people who liked chess, it was something they wanted to be a part of.”

In addition to sourcing an e-board, Ervolina—who serves as club president—also created a constitution stating the club’s intentions and goals and created posters to help advertise. Blum and the Honors Program helped spread the word, and students began gathering in reserved rooms in the E.H. Butler Library. 

“You never know who’s going to show up,” Ervolina said. “It really boils down to loving to play chess and meet new people.” 

The Buffalo State Chess Club meets once a week from either 12:30-1:15 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (alternating between Tuesdays and Wednesdays respectively) in the E.H. Butler Library. The group is currently completing mandatory trainings and paperwork to be officially recognized as a club by USG, status that offers perks like greater campus recognition, funding access, and easier space reservation. 

“What is most exciting is that students are engaged in an intellectual activity and talking with each other face-to-face,” said Blum, who serves as the club’s faculty advisor. “The hope is to get to the point where students are playing in local tournaments, either individually or as a team.”

Ervolina said that all are welcome—even those who have never played before—and emphasized that all skill levels are embraced.

 “I am not the best player in the club—and I’m the president!” she said. “Everyone in the club is excited to help you grow.”

Not only are students improving their chess skills, said Blum, but they are also benefiting from in-person social interaction and developing patience, self-awareness, personal responsibility, thoughtfulness, understanding of delayed gratification, and emotional intelligence.

“Chess shows us that a more fulfilling life can be found on the other side of Instagram,” Blum said. “It’s exercise for the brain. Playing makes the mind nimble, more aware of multiple possibilities, and teaches that you must take responsibility for your decisions. Players learn their strengths and weaknesses and must account for them. If they want to succeed, players can't indulge in anger or wallow in anxiety; they are taught to control those emotions and use them to motivate growth.”

 “So many things now are done through technology—the biggest benefit of chess is getting off your phone,” Ervolina said. “I’m always on the go; it’s made me discombobulated. In chess, every piece has to work together. I have to stop and think, ‘What do I want to do with this piece? How does that affect something else? It’s helped me to slow down and be a better thinker.” 

Ervolina acknowledges the synergy between playing chess and studying the past—in both chess and history, one must reflect upon and learn from previous events and decisions to create a more favorable future.

“That’s probably why I love both history and chess so much,” she said. “I love the idea of being able to discuss and learn something and then being able to apply it. I constantly want to get better.”

Ervolina said it feels good to know she is leaving a legacy at Buffalo State.

“I created something that will be at Buff State for much longer than I will have been,” she said. “The school has offered me such amazing opportunities—I’m happy to create one for future students.”

This month, Chess Club meets April 15, 23, and 29 in the E.H. Butler Library (room 06-120D). To learn more, email Jamie Ervolina (ervolije01@buffalostate.edu).

Header image: Jamie Ervolina plays chess against faculty advisor Daniel Blum.

Photos by Jesse Steffan-Colucci; Buffalo State photographer.